Forest did not manage to get a deal over the line for another striker, having pursued numerous targets – but most notably being edged to the signing of Tammy Abraham by Aston Villa and with Bournemouth and Middlesbrough unwilling to allow Jermain Defoe or Rudy Gestede to leave on loan.

But Karanka declared himself ‘satisfied’ with the work done during the summer – and said that he would now put his confidence in this group of players to deliver ‘good times’ at the City Ground.

Karanka was disappointed following the defeat at Brentford – and is demanding more consistency from his side, who followed up a dominant display against Newcastle with a limp, lifeless first half at Griffin Park.

“We have been working for two months and we have played eight games in less than a month,” said Karanka.

“It has been just two months and all of the players are giving their best. It is just a case of trusting them. I trust them 150 percent.

“We just need to find the balance and the consistency to play every single game in the same way.

“I said before and I will say always, in the way that this group of players are working, good things will arrive.”

Forest did move on a few more fringe players on deadline day, with Zach Clough joining Rochdale until January and Jamie Ward moving to Charlton on the same basis. While Apostolos Vellios moved on a season-long loan deal to Waasland-Beveren in Belgium.

“I have always been concerned and thinking about the players who were training with us; this was always the main thing for me,” said Karanka.